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“Oh.” She steps back and drops onto the bed.

“Mai? What is it? What’s wrong?”

She swallows hard and looks at me as I sit down next to her and take her hand in mine. “Do I bring that out in you? Make you feel more anxious? Because you’re—you’re the one who soothes me. I want to be that for you—”

“You are,” I say quickly. Fuck, I don’t ever want her to think she’s not my calm amid all the crazy in our lives. “The reason I have a harder time controlling it now is because my heart is more open, and I am more vulnerable with you than I’ve ever been. I can’t lock that stuff away anymore.”

Her mouth opens, but she doesn’t say anything.

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and lean in, gently kissing her cheek and then her neck. With my lips right next to her ear, I whisper, “You make me better, stronger, more open, and you help me grow. You understand me. And…” I slide my hand up her thigh. “The sex isamazing. Talk about the dream girl. Everything I wanted and even more that I didn’t know I needed. That’s why I had an anxiety attack. I love you so damn much. The thought of losing you—” I shake my head.

She turns toward me, letting her head rest against mine. “Not an option.”

She presses her lips into mine for a slow, sensual kiss, then pushes me backward and lies down next to me, never breaking our kiss.

“I’ve gotta pick up Harper in twenty minutes,” she mumbles.

“That’s plenty of time,” I whisper, running my hand along her waistband.

She rests hers over the top of mine. “Not right now. I just want to be in your arms for a little while. Is that okay?”

My lips curve into a smile. “It’s perfect.” I wrap my arms around her and kiss her forehead. “I love you.”

She nestles against me, finally calm again. “I love you too.”